Coupler



April 12, 1932. s M, CHAS 1,853,163

comma 7 Filed Jan. 2, 1930 ZSheets-Sheet l INVENTOR SHERWOOD I"). CHASE,

m HAM ATTORNEYS s. M. CHASE A ril 12, 1932.

Patented Apr. 12, .1932

UNITED sr-Aras P TENT OFFICE,

SHERWOOD ML'CHASE, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE, CHASE FOUNDRY AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO COUPLER Application filed January 2, 1930. Serial No. 417,908.

It is my object to provide a vehicle havinga coupler particularly adapted to locations where there are steep inclines or ramps that have an abrupt change of angle from. the

horizontal floor line.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing, in a diagrammatic view the operation of the coupler when the vehicle is on a steep ramp and the overhanging coupler portion is adjacent to the horizontal floor line;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the coupler; Figure 3 is a section onthe line 33 thereof;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the hinge,

jaw coupler; and I Figure 5 1s a rear elevation of Figure 3. Referring'to the draw1ngs,1 1s a vehicle frame having rear wheels 2 and forward caster wheels 3. 7

The coupler which is mounted on one end of the frame 1 by the back plate 4 comprises the following parts. The vehicle casting attaching plate member 4 has an upper, rigid, bifurcated jaw comprised of side walls 5 and 6 which are joined at their forward ends by the guide plate 7. This plate extends downwardly and inwardly to guide the bail into the space between the upper stationary jaw and the lower movable jaw.

The bifurcated sidewall members 5 and 6 of the upper jaw have their lower edges inclined upwardly and inwardly, as at 8, and

thence horizontally at 9 and downwardly at,

10 where they merge into a central pivot casting 11 which forms the supportfor the shaft 12 that carries the rocking lower jaw l3. A shoulder 130; on the lower jaw is adapted to engage a shoulder 4a on the upper jaw for limiting the downward movement of the lower j aw.

This lower jaw has rearwardly extending spaced arms 14 and 15 which are mounted upon the shaft 12 on either side of the casting memberll.

This lower jaw 11 is provided with a front bail engaging portion which has an inwardly and upwardly tapered face '16. It has a lower face 17 which latter face engages with the surface of the ground whenit is necessary to move the jaw by reason-o change of elevation of the truck, I

Between the bifurcated portions 5 and 6 of the upper stationary jaw there rocks a bail rocking hook designated 18 which is pivotally'mounted on the shaft 19 that is carried in the bifurcated members 5 and 6. This hook is provided with spaced supporting arms 20 and 21 whichare carried onthe shaft 19. Between these arms is carried a spring 22, one end of which at 23engages the rear wall't and front end of which at 24 engages in a transverse pin' 25, the forward portion of the hook yieldingly moving it downwardly. The hook is provided with a hook portion 26 and an upwardly extending finger 27 having an eye 28. This member 27, will engage with the guide plate 7 to limit the downward movement of the hook while the spring 22 will resist the upward movement of the hook.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such -m0difications as may be clearly embraced within the scope of my claims and invention.

- Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: j I

1. Ina coupler head, the combination of a stationary jaw and a'lower freely movable jaw, and a coupler hook associated with said jaws, said coupler hook having yielding means acting directly thereon for maintaining it in coupling position.

2. Ina coupler head, the combination of a stationary jaw and a lower freely movable jaw, a coupler hook associated with said jaws, said coupler hook having yielding means acting directly thereon for maintain ingit in coupling position and means on said coupler hook for engaging with the-lower jaw to yieldingly resist its movement in approaching the upper jaw.

3. In a coupler head, the combination of a stationary jaw and a lower freely movable jaw, a con ler hook associated with said jaws, said coup er hook having yielding means acting directly thereon for maintaining it in coupling position, means on said coupler hook for engaging with the lower jaw to yieldingly resist its movement in approaching the upper jaw and means on the lower jaw for limiting its movement away from the upper jaw.

4. in a coupler, the combination of a stationary upper jaw, a lower spaced movable jaw pivoted thereon, said jawshaving converging surfaces for guiding a bail into a slot between said jaws and a pivotally mounted hook on the stationary jaw normally located :in the space between said jaws.

5. In a coupler, the combination of a stationary upper jaw, a lower spaced movable jaw pivoted thereon, said jaws having converging surfaces for guiding a bail into a slot between said jaws, a pivotally mounted hook on the stationary jaw normally located in thezspace between said jaws and means on said'hook for limiting its movement toward the lower jaw.

6. In a coupler, the combination of :1 Sta tionary upper aw, a lower spaced movable jaw pivotedthereon, said jaws having converging surfaces for guiding a bail into a slotbetween said jaws, a pivotally mounted hook on the stationary jaw normally located in the space between said jaws, means on said hook for limiting its movement toward the lower jaw and yielding means associated with said hook for resisting its upward movement and that of the lower jaw either with the lower jaw or independently thereof.

7. Ina coupler, the combination of a stationary upper jaw, a lower spaced movable jaw pivoted thereon, said jaws having con-- verging surfaces for guiding a bail into aslotbetween said aws, a pivotally mounted gllOOkfOll the stationary jaw normally located in the space between said jaws, means on said hook for limiting its movement toward the lower jaw, yielding means associated with said hook for resisting its upward movement and that of the lower aw either with the lower aw or independently thereof and means to limit the downward movement of the lower aw.

8. In combination, a coupler, a bifurcated, upper coupler jaw, a hook pivoted within said bifurcated jaw normally extending below it and a movable lower aw pivoted on said bifurcated upper jaw to form a bailreceivingspace between'said jaws normally closed by said hook.

9. In combination, a coupler, a bifurcated upper coupler jaw, a hook pivoted within saidbifurcated jaw normally extending below it, aqmovable lower jaw pivoted on said bifurcated upper awto forma bail-receiving space between said jaws normally closed by said hook and yielding means for maintaining said hook in said position.

10. In combination, a coupler, a bifurcated upper coupler jaw, a hook pivoted within said bifurcated jaw normally extending below it and a movable lower jaw pivoted on said bifurcated upper jaw to form a bail-receiving space between said jaws normally closed by said'hook and yielding meansfor maintaining said-h'ook in said position, said lower jaw having a bifurcated inner end for engaging either side of said stationary jaw.

11. In a c0upler,a slotted upper jaw having a bail-guiding face directed inwardly and downwardly, a pivoted hook within said upper jaw depending therefrom. having a bail-engaging. face in alignment with the upper jaw face, a pivoted lower jaw mounted on the upper jaw but spaced therefrom having a bail-engaging face directed inwardly and upwardly for normal engagement with said hook.

12. In a coupler, a slotted upper jaw hava bail-guiding face directed inwardly and downwardly, a pivoted hook within said upper aw depending therefrom having a; bailcngagin-g face in alignment with the upper jaw face, a-pivotcd lower jawniounted on the upper aw but spaced therefrom having a bail-engaging face directed inwardly and upwardly for normal eiigagement'with said hook and. yielding means for maintaining said hook in its lower position.

13. In combination, an upper stationary, bifurcated aw, a pivoted hook located therein and depending therefrom,a shaft in said upper jawfor pivotally' mounting said hook, said hook having. spaced arms formounting on said shaft, yielding means on said. shaft engaging said jaw and said hook, adepending, lug from the upper j aw, ashaft carried therein. and a lower jaw having spaced arms pivoted on said shaft.

14;. In combination, an upper stationary, bifurcated jaw, a pivoted hook located'therein and depending therefrom, a shaft insaid upper jaw for pivotallymountingv said hook,

said hook having spaced arms for mounting on saidshaft, yielding means on said shaft engaging said jaw andsaid hook, adepending lug, from the upperj aw, a shaft carried therein, a lower aw having spaced arms pivoted on said shaft, said hook-engaging normally'the upper surface of saidlower' jaw whereby the upward movement of said lower jaw will be yieldingly rcsistedby the hook and its yielding-means.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

SHERWOOD M. CHASE. 

